5 questions, 5 answers: Takeaways from FSU’s no-frills win over New Mexico State
Tomahawk Nation • • sports
Key Points:
- Florida State started the 2026 season with a 34-17 win over New Mexico State, overcoming a slow start and execution issues to secure the victory.
- Positive takeaways included strong performances from running backs Sam Singleton Jr. and Ousmane Kromah, solid defensive efforts against the run, and good fan attendance.
- Major concerns centered on the offensive and defensive lines, lack of pass rush, poor secondary coverage, and inconsistent quarterback Ashton Daniels, who showed flashes but also made costly mistakes.
- Ashton Daniels' performance was rated mostly around average (4-6 out of 10) by analysts, highlighting slow reads, hesitation, and a critical interception despite some good throws.
- Overall sentiment is cautious to pessimistic about Florida State's upcoming game against SMU, with many expecting a challenging matchup and potential loss given current team weaknesses.
